Dabban Pushes Professionalism as ARCN Endorses PR Officers’ Body
0
0
Dabban Pushes Professionalism as ARCN Endorses PR Officers’ Body
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, ARCN, Adamu Abubakar Dabban, on Monday in Abuja endorsed the newly formed Association of Agricultural Research Institutes and Colleges Public Relations Officers, stressing the need for professionalism and coordinated communication across institutions under the council.
Dabban gave the endorsement while receiving the pioneer executives of the association during a courtesy visit to his office.
The delegation said the visit was aimed at securing institutional backing for the professionalisation and strategic integration of Public Relations Officers across research institutes and colleges within the council’s ecosystem.
Speaking earlier, the Founding National Coordinator of the association, Oluwatoyin Khadija Ameen, said the initiative was designed to reposition public relations from a routine information service unit to a strategic management function.
READ ALSO: Stefolga Group/Flow FM ₦50 Million Kwara FA Cup Sponsorship Reaches Grand Finale
According to her, “our objective is to enhance institutional visibility, strengthen stakeholder confidence and align communication with national priorities in agriculture, food security and economic development.”
She noted that the move also aligns with the communication and visibility drive of the Executive Secretary, particularly during his familiarisation tour of institutions across the country.
Responding, Dabban described the formation of the association as timely, noting that it would strengthen information management and improve visibility across the council’s institutions.
“This initiative is strategic. It will enhance institutional communication and ensure that our activities are properly projected,” he said.
He urged the association to forward a formal proposal through the Directorate of Administration, adding that upon approval, the council would direct heads of institutions to establish functional Public Relations units.
According to him, “professionalism has come to stay. All Public Relations Officers must obtain certification with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, within six months to standardise practice across institutions.”
Dabban added that Public Relations Officers would serve as outstation communication representatives of the council, operating within a coordinated network linked to the Office of the Executive Secretary.
Also speaking, the Director of Administration, Kalimat Balogun, commended the initiative, describing it as coming at the right time.
“Structured Public Relations units are critical for effective institutional projection and visibility. This framework will strengthen communication outputs across the system,” she said.
The meeting also resolved to institute quarterly coordination meetings for Public Relations Officers across the council’s institutions, alongside regular reporting of communication activities.
Participants further agreed on sustained capacity building through trainings, workshops and conferences, as well as the production of quarterly institutional publications to showcase research outputs and achievements.
On the proposed maiden conference of the association slated for October, Dabban expressed support and urged the group to commence preparations, indicating his willingness to participate.
The association said its proposal would be forwarded to the Directorate of Administration for processing, a move expected to formalise Public Relations as a strategic management function within agricultural research and training institutions nationwide.
